A welcome message from
Senior Pastor Aaron Stewart
About the Minister of Worship
The Minister of Worship is responsible for guiding the UPPC congregation in meaningful and authentic expressions of worship. This position requires a dynamic blend of musical talent, spiritual maturity and strong leadership abilities to manage and grow worship ministries within the congregation.
The Minister of Worship collaborates with pastors, elders, musicians, and technical teams to thoughtfully plan and execute worship services that inspire and uplift our community. Whether through contemporary praise songs, traditional hymns or creative liturgical elements, the Minister of Worship’s purpose is to draw individuals closer to God and foster a sense of unity within the congregation.
By nurturing a team of dedicated staff and volunteers, this role creates unified worship offerings across traditions for meaningful worship.
The Minister of Worship collaborates with pastors, elders, musicians, and technical teams to thoughtfully plan and execute worship services that inspire and uplift our community. Whether through contemporary praise songs, traditional hymns or creative liturgical elements, the Minister of Worship’s purpose is to draw individuals closer to God and foster a sense of unity within the congregation.
By nurturing a team of dedicated staff and volunteers, this role creates unified worship offerings across traditions for meaningful worship.
University Place Presbyterian Church
Founded in 1927 as a small Sunday school on nearby Day Island, University Place Presbyterian Church has grown alongside the University Place community for nearly a century. Today, UPPC connects with approximately 850 people each Sunday through both in-person worship and online services.
A member of the PC(USA) denomination, UPPC has experienced 29% growth in Sunday attendance including 173 new members and 71 baptisms over the past three years. We continue to rejoice in the increasing cultural diversity of our church family, including a growing community of African immigrants who enrich UPPC with their faith, gifts and traditions.
UPPC offers two Sunday worship services led by three pastors. Our traditional service features a flourishing choir of approximately 35 members, while our contemporary service is led by a praise team of talented instrumentalists and vocalists. Additional musical offerings include a children’s choir and a bell choir. Throughout the year, combined services, along with Christmas and Easter celebrations, often include orchestra in addition to choirs and praise teams.
A member of the PC(USA) denomination, UPPC has experienced 29% growth in Sunday attendance including 173 new members and 71 baptisms over the past three years. We continue to rejoice in the increasing cultural diversity of our church family, including a growing community of African immigrants who enrich UPPC with their faith, gifts and traditions.
UPPC offers two Sunday worship services led by three pastors. Our traditional service features a flourishing choir of approximately 35 members, while our contemporary service is led by a praise team of talented instrumentalists and vocalists. Additional musical offerings include a children’s choir and a bell choir. Throughout the year, combined services, along with Christmas and Easter celebrations, often include orchestra in addition to choirs and praise teams.
From our 2.5-acre campus, UPPC facilitates and supports a wide range of ministries and community services, including:
UPPC operates with an annual budget of $2,892,000 and is supported by a dedicated team of 25 full and part-time staff members.
As the largest church in University Place and the largest PC(USA) congregation in the South Sound, UPPC is committed to sharing the love of Jesus with the more than 80,000 people living within a five-mile radius who do not have a church home or may not know the love of Jesus.
- Sunset Christian Preschool, the largest private preschool in Pierce County
- Families Unlimited Network Food Bank
- Music and Arts Institute
- Youth and children’s programming and family events
- Cherish Ministry, supporting Kenyan students
- Refugee ministries
- Educational classes and affinity groups
- Community groups and other small group gatherings
UPPC operates with an annual budget of $2,892,000 and is supported by a dedicated team of 25 full and part-time staff members.
As the largest church in University Place and the largest PC(USA) congregation in the South Sound, UPPC is committed to sharing the love of Jesus with the more than 80,000 people living within a five-mile radius who do not have a church home or may not know the love of Jesus.
About Our Community
University Place, known to locals as “U.P.,” offers the feel of a small town inside a big city. Nestled along the scenic shores of Puget Sound, the City of University Place is home to approximately 35,000 residents. Tree-lined neighborhoods and quiet streets create a peaceful atmosphere, even as University Place borders Tacoma (population 228,000) and Lakewood (62,000).
The city features a vibrant central business district, expansive parks and the renowned Chambers Bay Golf Course, which hosted the 2015 U.S. Open. Winding through and around the course is the stunning three-mile Soundview Trail, offering panoramic views of Puget Sound and serving as a beloved gathering place for walkers, runners and families. On clear days, you can see the Olympic Mountains to the west and 14,411-foot Mount Rainier and the Cascade Range to the east.
University Place is also known for its exceptional schools. The University Place School District serves approximately 5,000 students and is recognized as one of the top districts in the state. The city’s lone high school, Curtis High School, home of the Curtis Vikings, is a source of deep community pride, visible throughout U.P. in the many “VIKS” decals displayed on our vehicles.
The city features a vibrant central business district, expansive parks and the renowned Chambers Bay Golf Course, which hosted the 2015 U.S. Open. Winding through and around the course is the stunning three-mile Soundview Trail, offering panoramic views of Puget Sound and serving as a beloved gathering place for walkers, runners and families. On clear days, you can see the Olympic Mountains to the west and 14,411-foot Mount Rainier and the Cascade Range to the east.
University Place is also known for its exceptional schools. The University Place School District serves approximately 5,000 students and is recognized as one of the top districts in the state. The city’s lone high school, Curtis High School, home of the Curtis Vikings, is a source of deep community pride, visible throughout U.P. in the many “VIKS” decals displayed on our vehicles.
Learn More & Apply
UPPC is working with consultant Brandon Muchow, the Minister of Worship at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport, California, and creator of the “7 Worship Leader Archetypes” model. This model helps churches understand their strengths and identify the type of worship leader they need the current season and the next.
For more information about the recruitment of this essential role, contact Brandon Muchow at [email protected] or UPPC Senior Pastor Aaron Stewart at [email protected].
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and links to three video recordings of you leading worship to [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled with first review of submissions on March 15, 2026.
For more information about the recruitment of this essential role, contact Brandon Muchow at [email protected] or UPPC Senior Pastor Aaron Stewart at [email protected].
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and links to three video recordings of you leading worship to [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled with first review of submissions on March 15, 2026.